Connecter



Nov. 2 1926. l 1,605,033'

G. JENSEN cmNEcTERI Filed Nov. 5I 1919 ATTRNEY Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

t UNITED STATES y 1,605,033 PATENT OFFICE..

GUN NAR JENSEN, 0F SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHO'USEELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A ,CQRPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CONNECTER.

Application filed November 3, 1919. Serial No. 335,304.

My invention relates to electrical connecters and particularly toconnecters for use in systems employing potentials and currents ofrelatively high values.

One object of my invention is toprovide a device of the above indicatedcharacter that shall facilitate the connection and disconnection ofelectrical conductors.

Another object of my invention is to provide a connecter, of theresilient-clamp type, that shall be suitable for systems havingpotentials and currents of relatively high values, and be ofsubstantially minimum size.

Another object'of my invention Vis to provide a readily-operable safetyconnecter, 'for relatively high values of current and voltage, that maybe freely manipulated by an operator, with his bare hands without dangerof injury from' the connecter.

A further object of my invention is to provide a connecter adapted toeffectively f receive and position one or more conductors of varioussizes.

Heretofore, certain spring-clamp connecters have been used in systemsemploying currents and voltages of relatively low values and, tothe bestof my knowledge,l

these have usually been constructed chiey for mechanical effectiveness.and to provide good contactV bearing surfaces. Attempts have been made,in certain of these connecters, to provide insulating coverings or othermeans to lessen the likelihood of shock or injury to an operator, butthe uncertainty of the life of the covering materials sometimes causesthem to increasethe hazard rather than afford a safeguard.Readily-removable spring-clamp connecters have been consideredimpractcable above vcertain limits of current and voltage. For thehigher values, the rigid or permanent'type of connecter has beenemployed which is `diicult to manipulate and dangerous to an operator,unless handied with extreme care. For handling this type of connecter,rubber gloves have been employed but, as in the case of the abovementioned connecter coverings, the uncertainty of the life andconstruction ofgloves is such an element of danger to an operator thattheir use, in certain places, has been prohibited.'

In 'practicing my invention, I provide a ,readily-operable connecter,the composition, Aform and relation of the elements of which vwith abinder, such as a phenolic condensaalkalis.

are such as to provide a device of substantially maximum potentialresistive strength and minimum size; The device may -be freely handledby an operator while the conductors connected by it are energized, thuseffecting a savingof time, removing the element of danger andfacilitating the operations ofconducting an experiment or a test wheretemporary .connections and unsafe potentials are employed.

Figure 1 of the `accompanying drawings is a plan view of ahigh-potential connecter embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a sidesectional view of the same; Fig. y3 is an end elevational View thereofand Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, similar to a portion of Fig. 2,showing an adaptation of the device to .a conductorof smaller diameterthan that shown in Fig. 2.

In general, my device comprises an insulating body member 1, a tubularconducting memben 2, a plunger rod orl gripping member 3 and anoperating handle or walking beam 4 that is pivotally mounted on the.member 1 and is assisted in actuating the rod .3 by springs 5 and 6.

The member 1 is preferably formed as a single *integrall mass of iibrousmaterial, such as shredded canvas that is impregnatedtion product andilried. Subsequentlyythe4 material is placed in a suitable mold andsubjected to heat and pressure to compact the material and vhardenthebinden This material is aunaffected by wide temperature changes,moisture, oils, weak acids and The member 1 comprises a tubular portion7 'having' relatively-thick walls to provide high puncture strength, anend wall 8, and side walls 9, all of which are designed with a view notonly to the mechanical strength and protection of the structure therelnbut to creepage distances which are vital in high-potential service. i

The member 2 isshorter than the`portion 7 and, may be placed at anintermediate position therein during` or after. the moldmg process; Thisprovides creepage' -surface and is a measure of protection to an 105 .ca`v v9o i operator, in tliat vhe may not easily come vinto contact withthe member 2. Screws 10, -extending through the walls of the portion 7and the member 2, secure a sleevey 11 in one end of the member 2. l'Ifhe sleeve 11 110 is interchangeable With other similar sleeves andprovides means for positioning one con ductor 12, or conductorsotvarious sizes, concentrically 1n the member 2. This con- 5 nection maybe oi a permanent nature,

ber 1 provide creepage distance around the after it has been decidedwhich conductor is to be utilized, but may be changed if desii-ed.

Raised tubular portions 13 on the niemno scarred by cutting narrow slotsof V-shape at right angles to each other. This provides a biting surfacecomprising a plurality o'i hard1 sharp pyramids ior points 17 and, aselectrical conductors are usually of copper,

holds the latter securely.

When in engagement 'with a conductor 1S of medium or relatively largediameter, a suicient number of the points 17 will engage the conductorto hold it securely. To

$0 assist in holding` aA smaller conductor 18,

Fig. 4. that may be engaged by a relatively small number-of the points17, a countersunk portion 19 is provided in the inner surface of themember 2 opposite the rod 3.

I5 This forms a kink in the conductor 18 that,

in co-operation with the rod 3 and the edges of the portion 19,'is heldsecurely in position.

The portion 19 is relatively shallow to provide backing for, and preventbreakage of, fthe small conductors that are bent into the portion 19during the bending action.

The outer, end of the rod 3 isV provided with a head portion 20 having arounded outer surface and betweenwhichand the member 1 the helicalcompression spring 5,- embracingftherod 3, exerts a -force tending tomove the rod away from the conductor 18.- This permits the removal ofthe rod 3 from the bore of the member 2 to permit the' unobstructedinsertion therein of the conductor 18 and'opposes the-force of thespring. 6.- The spring 6 is considerably stronger' than the spring 5 andthereby supplies the actuating force to clamp the rod 3 against theconductor 18. This force being inversely proportional to the size of theconductor, since the spring 5` will be in greater compression whenthe-conductor 1S small, is automatically graduated in accord- .9 ancewith the size of the conductor to be I The Walking beV v held. Thisprovides relatively great forces for large conductorsA and suicientforces which are less likelyA to injure small conductors.

I .4, preferably constructed of relatively lthin sheet metal, is pressedor bent to channel shape having intermediate perforate bearing portions21 for a cross pin side Walls 9` sloping side walls 23 and an inwardlycurved end portion 24 that serves as a stopfmember to engage the member1,

to assist the Walls 8, 9 and 23 in enclo-ing the space betwen the beam 4and the mem= ber 1 and to present a smooth rounded edge to the hand ofan operator. l

A button or member 25 of relatively hard and durable insulatingmaterial, preferably similar tothe material of the member 1, has areduced portion 26 litting an aperture in the beam 4 and a smoothrounded surface 27 engaging the head 2O of the rod 3. The member- 25 maybe secured by cement or other means or be loosely seated in position.The spring 6 embraces the pin 22 and has. tangentially-projectingportions 28 and 29 bearing against thev beam 4 and the member 1,respectively. The Walls 9 are thicker at the portions 30 to provide goodbearing surfaces and support for the pin -22 and slopel from theportions 30 to substantially the end of the member 1in order/to permitthe member 4 to be depressed freely by an operator. i

By my invention, I provide a springclamp connecter in which the movablelclamping member travels in a straight-line path at right angles to theconductor to be clamped, whereby the yclamping :torcev is evenly appliedover a relatively-Wide surface, to ensure maximum clamping efficiency. vt

Many points, as mentioned, have been taken into consideration to providea connecter suitable for very high voltages that 22 extending betweenthev is safe, effective` rugged and d`urable,`that permits latitude asto the matter of the service in which it may be employed and that may be.quickly and easily manipulated.

A device of substantially the construction, material and dimensionsshown in the draw-. ings, 'has operated satisfactorily and will operatecontinuously vwhile carrying A500. amperes at potentials up to 7,000volts. A connecter for other values of current and voltage may beconstructed in accordance with the principles herein explained, thatwill be suitable for convenient hand manipulatix. l. i

While I have shown and described a particular Lform of my invention,changes may be effected therein without departing from the spirit andscope thereof, as set forth vin the appended claims. Y

I claim as my invention u .v 1. A connecter comprisin a body member ofmolded insulating material having tubular and channelportions, a hollowmetal ing between points removed from the ends i.

thereof, said metal member having a countersunk portion in its innersurface, an interchangeable sleevepfor securing a conductorconcentrically `in one end of said metal mem ber, alongitudinal1ymovable metal rod haviiigra serrated end, said rod beingdisposed at right angles to said metal member opposite the countersunkportion, a spring biasing said rod away from said metal member,.awalking beam, a pin supporting said walking beam, an insulating memberdisposed on said walking beam and engaging said rod, as spring embracingsaid pin and having portions pressing against said beam and said bodymembervto oppose said rst spring, screws to hold said sleeve inVposition, and

.jbodies of insulating material sealing the ends of said screws, saidbeam having openings opposite `said screws.

2. A connecter comprising a body member of molded insulatingmaterial'having tubular and projectingportions, a hollow metal. memberdisposed in the tubular portion andhaving a countersunk portion in itsinner surface, means for securing' a conductor to said metal member, aYmovable rod extending through the walls of said tubular portion andsaidmetal member opposite said countersunk portion, `means biasin saidrod outwardly, a member pivoted on t e projecing portions, and meanscausing said ivoted member tol opposc said' outwardly iasing means.' v3. Aconnecterv comprising'a body member of molded insulating materialhaving a tubu# lar portion and a channel portion parallel thereto, saidchannel portion being closed at one end, a conducting sleeve'zwithin thetubucon uctors, a clam member partially 1ocated in saidf charme portionand means for actuating said' clamp member to grip a condiictorterminal.

4. A connecter a member having a longitudinally extending ortion forreceiving the terminals of for conductors comprising l channel portionand aside aperture, a conducting sleeve within the member for receivingthe terminals of conductors, a clamping member disposed at rightanglesto the first member and extending through said aperture and havingone end for engaging a conductor terminal and the other end. projectinginto the channel, and an operating lever ducting sleeve withinthememberfor receiv- -ing the terminals of conductors, a clamping Y memberdisposed at right angles to thel first member and havingone end forengaging a conductorterminal and the other end projecting through saidaperture into the channel, a spring for normally retracting the clampingmember, and an operating member device for normally yieldingly retainingthe clamp member in o erative retainin engagementwith the conductor, thesai operating'member device being pivo d in the channel andsubstantially closing he latter.

6. A connecter for conductors comprising a Itubular insulating member.havin a side aperture, a conducting sleeve wit in the tubular memberfor ieceiving the terminals of the conductors, a clamping means mountled on the insulating jmember and extending through said yaperture forengaging and re-'r tainin the terminal of a co ductor within the saidsleeve, yielding m ns for withdrawin the clamping means from engagementw th the conductor, and a lever device for normally`yieldingly pressingthe rclampino' meansv into engagement with the termii i na of theconductor. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed. my namethis 27th day of

